Cahokia, Illinois Wal-Mart’s Improper Bicycle Assembly Causes Injury

When a bicycle sold and assembled by the Wal-Mart in Cahokia, Illinois broke suddenly on a 13-year-old boy, the store found themselves defendants in a bicycle accident lawsuit filed by the boy’s mother.

According to a report in the St. Clair Record, the bike fell apart on its very first ride, causing injuries to the teenage boy. The handle bars became detached, and the minor lost control, flipped over the bike and hit the ground. This, the suit alleges, was caused by faulty installation of the parts involved in steering the bicycle, paired with insufficient brakes.

The boy’s shoulder hit the curb, which injured him severely and permanently. The lawsuit, filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, seeks in excess of $50,000 in damages stemming from medical bills for the injuries to his shoulder, as well as his collar bone, head, neck and back.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds cyclists that bikes can be an excellent method of transportation, but they should be treated as vehicles rather than toys — even for children. In addition to wearing a bicycle helmet, checking your equipment to make sure everything is in fine working condition can prevent injury-causing accidents.

The law firm of WWF&G has represented numerous clients who have been injured in bicycle accidents. Bicycle accidents occur in many different ways and may result from a variety of conditions or events, including dangerous or defective roadways and pathways, a defect in the bicycle, such as brakes, tires, poor education and warnings by the seller, and impacts with motor vehicles.

Attorneys Tom Falb and Mike Glisson are experts in personal injury cases of all stripes. Please contact us for a free consultation so we may discuss and review your case in greater detail at 618-462-1077.